Sullivan, T. J. Hon. died 1936

SULLIVAN, FITZGERALD, KORTE, MCDEVITT

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 4/29/2023 at 11:01:04

Clayton County Register, 22 July 1936.

MCGREGOR: Hon. T. J. Sullivan, 84, former Clayton county representative in the state legislature, died at his home Friday from effects of the heat. He had been in poor health for quite a long time. He had been a resident of McGregor since he was a small boy, and for many years was in the clothing business here, later becoming the owner and manager of the opera house. He served the town as mayor, councilman and on the school board at various times. He was one of the organizers of the McGregor Heights and served on its board of directors from its beginning until his death. He is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Marie Sullivan McDevitt, with whom he made his home, and a son, R. J. Sullivan, an attorney at New Hampton. Funeral services were held at St. Mary's Catholic church Sunday morning, with burial in St. Mary's cemetery.

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Added by S. Ferrall:

T.J. Sullivan, former legislator and retired McGregor business man, died last Friday, at the age of 84 years. Funeral services were held from St. Mary's church Sunday morning.

The "Squire's" death was attributed in part to the terrific heat which had Iowa in its grip last week. He was last down town the Fourth of July, with his son, and he told friends he felt the best he had in years.

For many years in the clothing business in McGregor, Mr. Sullivan in recent years managed his properties in McGregor, owning and operating the Opera House and dance hall building, as well as several small houses.

The "Squire" was interested in public affairs for many years before his death, having served on the council, on the school board, as an official of the commercial club. He played an important part in the development of the Heights as a resort and while in the legislature, he introduced the kindergarten bill which passed and became a law.

He had many friends, who respected his honesty and fair dealings.

Several years ago, at the request of his wife, he wrote his memoirs, which he asked to be printed on his death. They follow ...

"My parents, John and Mary Fitzgerald Sullivan, informed me that I was born on the 29th day of August, 1851, at Norwich, Connecticut. At about 4 years of age, I remember a punishment I got for the wearing of the green - not the green that they were hanging men and women for wearing in good old Ireland - but a regular American grass green that I got on a nice white suit in rolling on the green.

The next event of my life was in 1856, when I came West with my parents to Iowa, residing in Keokuk for a short time and then moving to St. Louis, Mo., where we resided until the breaking out of the Civil War in the Spring of 1861.

In the fall of 1860 Father being out of work he went to what was known as McGregor landing in Iowa. During our residence in St. Louis, I sold papers. Just think of it a little [illegible words] traveling the streets of a city to earn a dollar for my dear mother. Well, in the Spring or rather Summer of 1861, my mother, two sisters and a brother moved to McGregor and have resided here since.

On our arrival Father met us at the boat landing and I shall never forget the ride on a dray up Main street around what was known as Grant's corner to West Main street about 300 feet from McCall's bridge, where we were housed. Father was taken sick shortly after our arrival and nearly lost his eye sight - my dear mother was compelled to go out washing to earn sufficient to feed her little ones. After father recovered it was not necessary for mother to go out as she had during his sickness as father was a hustler, never without employment from that day on.

At the time I left home to make a home of my own our family consisted of eight children living in a home of their own through the energy and hard labor of father and dear mother.

During my boyhood days I clerked during vacation and assisted father in many of his jobs, piling wood, etc. until he and I disagreed as to how wood should be piled - I quit him; told mother I would never work with him again; so next day I applied for work of Mr. Thos. Arnold, dry goods merchant. He employed me at $10 per month. In March, 1869, at the end of three years I was receiving a salary of $50.00 per month and struck [sic] for $60.00 which he refused to pay me. I resigned and entered the employ of L. Rowe & Co. (known also as Strouse & Rose) Wholesale and retail dry goods, at a salary of $60.00 per month.

During my stay with Mr. Arnold I worked up a good trade with the Irish people for 20 miles around our town - they followed me to my new position where I was appreciated by my Irish friends with whom I remained until they sold out and retired from business and moved to Philadelphia. On their retirement from business in 1876 they recommended me to L.J. Strouse, clothier, who employed me at $75 per month and on his retirement from business in McGregor I bought his stock with the aid of my father-in-law, John G. Korte, to whose daughter I was married on the 23rd day of November, 1879.

My business was a success from the beginning, owing to a new departure in selling merchandise - viz every garment and article were marked in plain figures - one price to all - also the advice given me how to conduct my business by a Jewish friend (Ed Hanauer) in the clothing business in Philadelphia. And now in the Spring of 1895, my health being poor, I retired from business by orders of Dr. Clark and my wife.

In the fall of 1895 I was nominated to represent Clayton County in the General Assembly and was elected in November to serve in the 26th G.A., and being opposed to the free silver crave I was defeated for re-election. During the session of the legislature I introduced what is known as the Kindergarten bill which I succeeded in having it become a law and endorsed and passed in the extra session of the 26th G.A.

Since retiring from business, I have served the city as Mayor, also member of board of education and as councilman, for years served as J.P. until I refused to serve any longer.

Now, looking back to the days of my boyhood, I remember the many Sundays I spent serving the Mass under our parish priest, Father G. Nagle, during 1862 to 1865 in McGregor, Monona, Clermont and Paint Rock church in Allamakee county. The McGregor Heights were located and placed under the management of the Decorah Outing Association through the work and efforts of myself and Robert Quigey. (see account in scrap book of the proceedings.)

In closing will say I have been favored by the Supreme Being during my entire life and to Him is due my success in life. -- T.J. Sullivan, April 10, 1928

~North Iowa Times, Thursday, July 23, 1936; pg 1
~photo was printed with the obituary

Note: the scrap book referred to in the 2nd to last paragraph apparently was in his possession or that of the Association; it was not included with the obit or memoirs in the newspaper

Clayton Obituaries maintained by Sharyl Ferrall.
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